Speed governors to be fitted in school buses from May 1

Soon, school buses will not be allowed to ply at a speed of more than 40km per hour within BMC limits and 50km per hour outside civic body limits. Speed governors will be installed and sealed in school buses from May 1, as per the direction of Bombay high court. This will be done at all the Regional Transport Offices (RTO).

New school buses will have to be fitted with speed governors, which will be examined by the RTO concerned at the time of registration. Old school buses, on the other hand, will have to install the speed governors before they approach the RTO for annual fitness certificates or September 1, 2012, whichever is earlier.

Speed governors will be fitted in other vehicles too, in phases, including tractors, dumpers, contract or company vehicles, and goods transport vehicles with national permits.

The state transport department issued the notification to enforce speed limits in March, following criticism from the Bombay High Court.

"This equipment will restrict the speed of vehicle. Even if the drivers try to exceed, it will remain within the standard limit, therefore casualties due to over-speeding or loss of control will be reduced," explained an official from the Wadala RTO, who did not wish to be named, since he is not allowed to speak to the media.

The speed governor will be checked and then sealed. It will be given a non-tamperable number so that the seal can't be removed. Officials have been trained to test and seal the equipment.

Other vehicles like private luxury and company buses will be restricted to a speed of 65kmph. "As per the Motor Vehicle Act these vehicles cannot drive at speeds beyond 65kmph but they go up to 110kmph on expressways. The speed restriction will improve passenger safety," added the official.